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WIOA/ Workforce Development

The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) maintains a primary focus on assisting job seekers with and without disabilities in succeeding in the labor market, matching employers with skilled workers who benefit from education, skills training, and career services from the workforce development system. The LEAD Center is focused on highlighting the opportunities presented in the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) to build integrated cross-system collaborations that improve employment and economic outcomes for youth and adult job seekers with disabilities.

The development of financial capability strategies are critical for sustaining financial security. This paper describes some of the replicable models that AJCs have established to provide financial capability services.

This research investigates what companies are doing to build a disability-inclusive culture and encourage employees with disabilities to voluntarily self-identify, as many organizations with government contracts are now required to do under recent

This policy brief outlines, from the disability perspective, key provisions of two Notices of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) pertaining to the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), i.e., those provisions in title I of WIOA pertaining to wor

In this March 2015 report, disability experts announce research that found 80 percent of people with disabilities achieved their career goals at an acceptable level or higher when they had individualized support from employers.

During COVID-19, many American Job Centers and core workforce system partners have shifted to virtual services. COVID-19 has highlighted new accommodation needs for people with disabilities and the workforce staff who support them.

During COVID-19, many American Job Centers and core workforce system partners have shifted to virtual services. COVID-19 has highlighted new accommodation needs for people with disabilities and the workforce staff who support them.

The road to Inclusive Career Pathways can be difficult for stakeholders and workforce professionals to navigate. The destination is achieving Employment and Economic Self-Sufficiency for people with disabilities. Getting there is the tricky part.

This training/Community of Practice meeting will recap the vision of WIOA for following a career pathway model for service delivery and explore Alaska’s innovation of including entrepreneurship and small business concepts into their service struct

Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner and the state legislature are in the middle of a dispute over whether State employees can receive partial or full wage payments in the absence of a State budget created by the legislature and signed by the governor.

The Advisory Committee on Increasing Competitive Integrated Employment for Individuals with Disabilities, established under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) in 2014, held its fourth meeting on July 13-14, 2015 in Washington, D.C

Governor Mark Dayton is lobbying the state legislature for a reconciled budget to add a new $5 million allocation for a program that will help people with disabilities find jobs and assist people with mental illness with housing to avoid homelessn

Late last week, a bipartisan group of lawmakers, led by Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa, introduced a measure to provide financial incentives to states for increasing communitybased services for people with disabilities.

On May 11 and 12, 2015, the Advisory Committee on Increasing Competitive Integrated Employment for Individuals with Disabilities, which was created under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), held its third meeting since first conve

The Data and Resources to Inspire a Vision of Employment (DRIVE) website provides “one-stop-shop” access to disability employment statistics at the national and state level, and access to state disability employment policies.

Over the past several months, the LEAD Center has researched effective strategies nationwide in serving people with disabilities and reaching positive employment outcomes through Inclusive Career Pathways.

On May 9, the House Committee on Small Business held a hearing titled, “Ready, Willing, and Able to Work: How Small Businesses Empower People with Developmental Disabilities.” The hearing, chaired by Representative Steve Chabot (R-OH), sought to e

LEAD Center staff had a significant presence at two national conferences this quarter: the National Association of Workforce Development Professionals (NAWDP) Conference and the Association of People Supporting Employment First (APSE) Conference.

On October 31, the U.S. Department of Justice released guidance on how the Integration Mandate of Title II of the ADA and the Olmstead decision are to be applied to state and local governments’ employment service systems.

LEAD Center staff reviewed state plans from California, Iowa, and North Carolina utilizing a guide we developed that identifies key areas for plan design and implementation to advance effective and meaningful participation of youth and adults with

On April 2, 2015, the U.S. Department of Education and U.S. Department of Labor's Employment and Training Administration (ETA) issued five notices of proposed rulemaking (NPRMs) on the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA).

In December 2014, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) and the LEAD Center released the report, “Best Practices in Employee Retention and Return-to-Work: An In-Depth Look Inside an Exemplary American...

ETA is inviting state and local workforce leaders and practitioners, workforce system partners, customer and other stakeholders to participate in upcoming webinars to provide input on the implementation of the recently passed Workforce Innovation...

In LEAD Center's newest blog, Alison Nodvin Barkoff and her brother, Evan Nodvin, share how the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) has impacted their family, commemorate its 28th anniversary, and urge others to keep advocating for progress.

The Campaign for Disability Employment (CDE) shares information on their national effort aimed at shaping attitudes and improving employment opportunities for people with disabilities, and how their work intersects with October being National...

Inclusion works, and at the Job Accommodation Network (JAN), we can tell you – with research to back it up – that the benefits employers receive from implementing effective workplace accommodations far outweigh the low cost.

As workers age, they may acquire disabilities, so corporations would be wise to think about cost-effective ways of providing workplace accommodations. What best practices can companies put in place to address the needs of all employees while staying...

Beyond simply thanking our veterans for their service, it is our duty to actively help them succeed as members of society. Seeking to meet this need, the Department of Labor's Veterans' Employment and Training Service created Veterans.gov.

The development of financial capability strategies are critical for sustaining financial security. This paper describes some of the replicable models that AJCs have established to provide financial capability services.

This research investigates what companies are doing to build a disability-inclusive culture and encourage employees with disabilities to voluntarily self-identify, as many organizations with government contracts are now required to do under recent

This policy brief outlines, from the disability perspective, key provisions of two Notices of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) pertaining to the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), i.e., those provisions in title I of WIOA pertaining to wor

In this March 2015 report, disability experts announce research that found 80 percent of people with disabilities achieved their career goals at an acceptable level or higher when they had individualized support from employers.

During COVID-19, many American Job Centers and core workforce system partners have shifted to virtual services. COVID-19 has highlighted new accommodation needs for people with disabilities and the workforce staff who support them.

During COVID-19, many American Job Centers and core workforce system partners have shifted to virtual services. COVID-19 has highlighted new accommodation needs for people with disabilities and the workforce staff who support them.

The road to Inclusive Career Pathways can be difficult for stakeholders and workforce professionals to navigate. The destination is achieving Employment and Economic Self-Sufficiency for people with disabilities. Getting there is the tricky part.

This training/Community of Practice meeting will recap the vision of WIOA for following a career pathway model for service delivery and explore Alaska’s innovation of including entrepreneurship and small business concepts into their service struct

Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner and the state legislature are in the middle of a dispute over whether State employees can receive partial or full wage payments in the absence of a State budget created by the legislature and signed by the governor.

The Advisory Committee on Increasing Competitive Integrated Employment for Individuals with Disabilities, established under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) in 2014, held its fourth meeting on July 13-14, 2015 in Washington, D.C

Governor Mark Dayton is lobbying the state legislature for a reconciled budget to add a new $5 million allocation for a program that will help people with disabilities find jobs and assist people with mental illness with housing to avoid homelessn

Late last week, a bipartisan group of lawmakers, led by Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa, introduced a measure to provide financial incentives to states for increasing communitybased services for people with disabilities.

On May 11 and 12, 2015, the Advisory Committee on Increasing Competitive Integrated Employment for Individuals with Disabilities, which was created under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), held its third meeting since first conve

The Data and Resources to Inspire a Vision of Employment (DRIVE) website provides “one-stop-shop” access to disability employment statistics at the national and state level, and access to state disability employment policies.

Over the past several months, the LEAD Center has researched effective strategies nationwide in serving people with disabilities and reaching positive employment outcomes through Inclusive Career Pathways.

On May 9, the House Committee on Small Business held a hearing titled, “Ready, Willing, and Able to Work: How Small Businesses Empower People with Developmental Disabilities.” The hearing, chaired by Representative Steve Chabot (R-OH), sought to e

LEAD Center staff had a significant presence at two national conferences this quarter: the National Association of Workforce Development Professionals (NAWDP) Conference and the Association of People Supporting Employment First (APSE) Conference.

On October 31, the U.S. Department of Justice released guidance on how the Integration Mandate of Title II of the ADA and the Olmstead decision are to be applied to state and local governments’ employment service systems.

LEAD Center staff reviewed state plans from California, Iowa, and North Carolina utilizing a guide we developed that identifies key areas for plan design and implementation to advance effective and meaningful participation of youth and adults with

On April 2, 2015, the U.S. Department of Education and U.S. Department of Labor's Employment and Training Administration (ETA) issued five notices of proposed rulemaking (NPRMs) on the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA).

In December 2014, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) and the LEAD Center released the report, “Best Practices in Employee Retention and Return-to-Work: An In-Depth Look Inside an Exemplary American...

ETA is inviting state and local workforce leaders and practitioners, workforce system partners, customer and other stakeholders to participate in upcoming webinars to provide input on the implementation of the recently passed Workforce Innovation...

In LEAD Center's newest blog, Alison Nodvin Barkoff and her brother, Evan Nodvin, share how the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) has impacted their family, commemorate its 28th anniversary, and urge others to keep advocating for progress.

The Campaign for Disability Employment (CDE) shares information on their national effort aimed at shaping attitudes and improving employment opportunities for people with disabilities, and how their work intersects with October being National...

Inclusion works, and at the Job Accommodation Network (JAN), we can tell you – with research to back it up – that the benefits employers receive from implementing effective workplace accommodations far outweigh the low cost.

As workers age, they may acquire disabilities, so corporations would be wise to think about cost-effective ways of providing workplace accommodations. What best practices can companies put in place to address the needs of all employees while staying...

Beyond simply thanking our veterans for their service, it is our duty to actively help them succeed as members of society. Seeking to meet this need, the Department of Labor's Veterans' Employment and Training Service created Veterans.gov.

This brief discusses actions that American Job Center (AJC) staff can take to make their services more accessible to autistic people and others with psychosocial, cognitive, intellectual, and developmental disabilities (DD).

The Youth Program Finder was created in response to requests for help locating services for people age 16 to 24. The Finder was designed to be used by young people on their own, or by adult intermediaries.

On January 24, 2018, the Department of Labor’s (DOL’s) Employment and Training Administration (ETA) issued new guidance to State Workforce Agencies, State and Local Workforce Boards and other partners (

CareerOneStop has updated more than a dozen local help finder tools for easy access from smartphones, tablets, or desktop computers. The Local Help collection of tools can quickly provide location and contact information for a variety of programs...

When military personnel transition to civilian employment, America’s businesses stand to benefit. Across all industries, veterans are a ready source of qualified, committed job candidates with transferable skills proven in real world situations.

LEAD Center staff reviewed state plans from California, Iowa, and North Carolina utilizing a guide we developed that identifies key areas for plan design and implementation to advance effective and meaningful participation of youth and adults with

As the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) continues its process of implementation, there are many important aspects that states should be currently preparing for, including the submittal of th

This 2013 webcast from JAN's Federal Winter Webcast Series Rewind provides a practical approach to processing requests for reasonable accommodation in the workplace. The step-by-step guide is easy to understand and can be used to examine requests....

When the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) issued its final regulations for the ADA Amendments Act of 2008, its guidance listed several examples of flexible workplace policies that an employer could consider when choosing a reasonable

This issue brief, from the Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy and written by the former NTAR Leadership Center, summarizes the "The Aging Workforce: The Role of Medical Professionals in Helping Older Workers and Workers w

Customized Employment (CE) represents a new service strategy choice for American Job Centers (AJCs) and their vendors. CE represents an opportunity to better serve AJC customers with complex barriers to work.

This brief discusses actions that American Job Center (AJC) staff can take to make their services more accessible to autistic people and others with psychosocial, cognitive, intellectual, and developmental disabilities (DD).

The Youth Program Finder was created in response to requests for help locating services for people age 16 to 24. The Finder was designed to be used by young people on their own, or by adult intermediaries.

On January 24, 2018, the Department of Labor’s (DOL’s) Employment and Training Administration (ETA) issued new guidance to State Workforce Agencies, State and Local Workforce Boards and other partners (

CareerOneStop has updated more than a dozen local help finder tools for easy access from smartphones, tablets, or desktop computers. The Local Help collection of tools can quickly provide location and contact information for a variety of programs...

When military personnel transition to civilian employment, America’s businesses stand to benefit. Across all industries, veterans are a ready source of qualified, committed job candidates with transferable skills proven in real world situations.

LEAD Center staff reviewed state plans from California, Iowa, and North Carolina utilizing a guide we developed that identifies key areas for plan design and implementation to advance effective and meaningful participation of youth and adults with

As the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) continues its process of implementation, there are many important aspects that states should be currently preparing for, including the submittal of th

This 2013 webcast from JAN's Federal Winter Webcast Series Rewind provides a practical approach to processing requests for reasonable accommodation in the workplace. The step-by-step guide is easy to understand and can be used to examine requests....

When the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) issued its final regulations for the ADA Amendments Act of 2008, its guidance listed several examples of flexible workplace policies that an employer could consider when choosing a reasonable

This issue brief, from the Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy and written by the former NTAR Leadership Center, summarizes the "The Aging Workforce: The Role of Medical Professionals in Helping Older Workers and Workers w

Customized Employment (CE) represents a new service strategy choice for American Job Centers (AJCs) and their vendors. CE represents an opportunity to better serve AJC customers with complex barriers to work.

This brief discusses actions that American Job Center (AJC) staff can take to make their services more accessible to autistic people and others with psychosocial, cognitive, intellectual, and developmental disabilities (DD).

The Youth Program Finder was created in response to requests for help locating services for people age 16 to 24. The Finder was designed to be used by young people on their own, or by adult intermediaries.

On January 24, 2018, the Department of Labor’s (DOL’s) Employment and Training Administration (ETA) issued new guidance to State Workforce Agencies, State and Local Workforce Boards and other partners (

CareerOneStop has updated more than a dozen local help finder tools for easy access from smartphones, tablets, or desktop computers. The Local Help collection of tools can quickly provide location and contact information for a variety of programs...

When military personnel transition to civilian employment, America’s businesses stand to benefit. Across all industries, veterans are a ready source of qualified, committed job candidates with transferable skills proven in real world situations.

LEAD Center staff reviewed state plans from California, Iowa, and North Carolina utilizing a guide we developed that identifies key areas for plan design and implementation to advance effective and meaningful participation of youth and adults with

As the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) continues its process of implementation, there are many important aspects that states should be currently preparing for, including the submittal of th

This 2013 webcast from JAN's Federal Winter Webcast Series Rewind provides a practical approach to processing requests for reasonable accommodation in the workplace. The step-by-step guide is easy to understand and can be used to examine requests....

When the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) issued its final regulations for the ADA Amendments Act of 2008, its guidance listed several examples of flexible workplace policies that an employer could consider when choosing a reasonable

This issue brief, from the Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy and written by the former NTAR Leadership Center, summarizes the "The Aging Workforce: The Role of Medical Professionals in Helping Older Workers and Workers w

Customized Employment (CE) represents a new service strategy choice for American Job Centers (AJCs) and their vendors. CE represents an opportunity to better serve AJC customers with complex barriers to work.

The LEAD Center is led by Social Policy Research Associates and National Disability Institute. It is fully funded as the WIOA Policy Development Center by the Office of Disability Employment Policy, U.S. Department of Labor, Contract No. 1605DC-19-F-00341.